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No Contest: The Case Against Competition
by
Alfie Kohn,
Kohn
No Contest stands as the definitive critique of competition. Contrary to accepted wisdom, competition is not basic to human nature; it poisons our relationships and holds us back from doing our best. In this new edition, Alfie Kohn argues that the race to win turns all of us into losers.
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
November 12th 1992
by Mariner Books
(first published 1986)
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I'm giving it four stars not for the quality of writing -- I found the one-sided rhetoric tiresome by half way through -- but for the importance of the ideas it has. Despite taking an extreme stance in this book, Kohn gives a solid argument with intelligent research backing it.
The fundamental idea is that competition is destructive in all its forms, and is built into our society to the detriment of all: it is in our education, our economy, or legal system, and our recreation. He systematically...more
The fundamental idea is that competition is destructive in all its forms, and is built into our society to the detriment of all: it is in our education, our economy, or legal system, and our recreation. He systematically...more
A couple weeks ago, I came home to find the babysitter (my mom) and my daughter playing a matching game with--gasp!--two piles of paired cards. I took my mother aside and handed her this book. She replied, "I could read it a thousand times and it wouldn't change my mind that competition is healthy."
I'm equally guilty of pigheadedness, I guess, because I never finished reading the book but I'm pretty sure that I agree with it 100 percent. (Kohn's writing is surprisingly tedious in this one, but...more
I'm equally guilty of pigheadedness, I guess, because I never finished reading the book but I'm pretty sure that I agree with it 100 percent. (Kohn's writing is surprisingly tedious in this one, but...more
A very interesting exploration of the concept of competition. While the concept is greatly admired and idealized in our modern culture, Kohn explores the the negative consequences of competition. The book suggests that competition is much more harmful to us as individuals than is typically thought. As an educational expert, he concentrates on the concept of competition in schooling. While he does talk about some other applications of competition, I would have liked for the book to have examined...more
I greatly admire Kohn's ideas about competition, how it is but one model that human-kind has followed for millenia. When looking at games we devise and play, Kohn points out that competition creates an artifical scarcity where none existed before. Instead of having a game where there is a winner and a loser (e.g. football, basketgall to name a few), why not track each player's play and then compare it to that same player's prior playing. This way each player can improve their game and no win/los...more
Makes complete sense to me because it fits with my personal experiences and observations. IMO, cooperation, collaboration, and open communication engender innovation of our desires; competition promotes innovation of deception and harm.
I am often mislabeled as competitive. It is true that I do not like to lose, but I do not like to compete and I agreed with many of the authors arguments. Book club was split in their opinions on this one depending on how competitive they are. Not a fun read but an interesting one.
This book changed my perspective drastically and helped to reach a new plateau of understanding and personal growth. There are sections of it that should be required reading for all the inhabitants of spaceship earth.
Kohn does it again: delivers a compelling argument for raising children in a more humane, rational way. Be prepared for a tone-y read if you pick this up; I felt the information was worth the occasional annoyance.
Sep 26, 2010
matthew
added it
this book will probably become something of a bible for me...it's nice and boring like the bible, but has the added benefit of not being completely fucking crazy. woohoooo!
I didn't agree with any of the author's perspective- but I did find it interesting!
A great case againt NCLB!
This book is all about how cooperation rather than competition would benefit us greatly as a society. Kohn explains how cooperation and competition are learned behaviors and that our American society is too obssessed with competition in education, sports, and leisure activities. It was a very interesting book to read, and I enjoyed the debate between the two theories. Yet, I believe that both theories are inevitable and helpful in life and work.
I liked the idea behind this book, but I kid you not, it took me 4 months to read. The library threatened to not let me renew it anymore. There were several insights that I enjoyed, but I had a hard time really concentrating on most of it. I'm sure if I had been able to do that, I would have liked it more and read it faster.
Oct 14, 2011
Alba
marked it as to-read
I tried to read this book and though I believe in the principles of what the author is trying to say, I could not get past the dryness of the writing. I did not finish this book, so I will not rate it, but do want to say that if you get past the dryness, the points are well made.
Yeah! Finally someone wrote a book on this. I love how he points out how competition is really more of an obstacle rather than something that helps us grow. I think it goes right along with President Benson's talk on pride.
Great critique on competition. Really shows how co-operative learning can work within the classroom, giving examples of how the common problems with co-operative learning can be addressed.
I read this for a class and was convinced. Although it would be hard to imagine life without competition, there is a good case in this book that life would be better without it.
As the title says, the case against competition. Especially thought provoking for those who grow up competing for everything.
An interesting take on incentive theory, but cherry picks examples and ignores empirical evidence to the contrary.
view all 10 comments
Feb 16, 2007
Chanterelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Employers past, present, and future
Finally someone explains just how damaging the constant competition in our culture can be.
A very fascinating look into competition. Read in undergrad.
Interesting thesis on competition vs. cooperation
Nov 26, 2007
MsBrie
marked it as to-read
Paco critisized it so i think it must be great!
We were trained into Capitalism the cult. Competition was regarded as one of the only sacred things in life. Much was sacrificed on the altar to this Competition, and for what? Read it.
May 21, 2013
Colleen
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Katie
marked it as to-read
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Alfie Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting. The author of eleven books and scores of articles, he lectures at education conferences and universities as well as to parent groups and corporations.
Kohn's criticisms of competition and rewards have been widely discussed and debated, and he has been described in Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken...more
More about Alfie Kohn...
Kohn's criticisms of competition and rewards have been widely discussed and debated, and he has been described in Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken...more
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“Let me note, finally, that most of the research for this book was done in the libraries of Harvard University, the size of whose holdings is matched only by the school's determination to restrict access to them. I am delighted to have been able to use these resources, and it hardly matters that I was afforded this privilege only because the school thought I was someone else.”
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